This is a fun piece to read. Fascination with celebrity never dies. The desire to connect to Hollywood — the excitement, the razzle-dazzle — remains as strong today as it was in the ’50s. And Palm Springs will always be part of that Tinseltown allure. Locals and visitors still marvel at many celebrities’ houses, some […]

Throughout the homebuying process, you will encounter a number of expenses including, but certainly not limited to, an appraisal, transaction fees and a survey – but none is more important than the home inspection. Dollar for dollar, there is no better use of your money, as a home inspection will […]

Christie’s posted a great article on lighting. Lighting is one of the most crucial elements of home design. The right fixtures and proper use of natural light make an enormous impact both functionally and atmospherically. Home buyers covet bright, well-lit spaces, so lighting can provide a powerful lift to your home without major construction or […]

Americans owe $1.3 trillion in outstanding student loans. That’s the second largest consumer debt, surpassed only by mortgages. A college education can cost as much as or more than a mortgage. But the stakes are higher if you run into trouble paying your student loans. Here’s why student debt is harder to manage than a […]

Millennials face an uphill battle when it comes to their finances. Crippling student loan debt, skyrocketing rental rates and dismal wages form a perfect storm of sorts that makes it hard for young adults to get ahead. There are some millennials, however, who have managed to build up some sizable wealth. According to a recent […]

At 2.67%, Illinois has the highest median property tax rate in the U.S., according to a report by CoreLogic. On the other hand, Hawaii has the lowest median property tax rate in the nation at 0.31%, according to the report. The national median is 1.31%. Property taxes vary state to state, and include the total […]

Equifax explains in detail the importance of understanding hard inquiries on your credit report. As we’ve written about previously on the Equifax Finance Blog, some consumers are reluctant to check their credit report because they are concerned that doing so may impact their credit score. While pulling your credit […]

Not to rub salt in your renter’s wounds, but a recent assessment by Lawrence Yun, chief economist of the National Association of Realtors®, isn’t likely to lift your spirits. A homeowner’s net worth, he told Forbes, will be 45 times greater than that of a renter by 2016. The Federal Reserve reported last year in its Survey […]

It’s tax season again. While you might not be jumping for joy at the thought of this, let’s at least make sure you’re doing your due diligence and gaining all the benefits you can from tax deductions that apply to you. With the help of Annie Fairchild at AFairchild PC, a CPA firm in the […]